On the day that Archers parents finally felt reassured that he was emotionally stable enough to go back to school, Archer found himself plopped in the back seat of the car, with the sun hovering just above his head. It was around the middle of the school day, since his parents hadnt wanted him to have to face the morning of dealing with Hunter. Guilt and sadness roiled in his gut, because his daddy had decided to take the day off of work so he could go in and try to reason with his principal about removing him from the lower English class and pushing him up to the upper level one. Drawing him out of this English class would be the last step taken before the last trace of Hunter was removed from his life. As the car rolled to a stop in the parking lot, Archer leaned forward and begged his dad, "Daddy, you dont have to go to the trouble. Its only a few more months until the end of the year-"

His daddy flicked his eyes into the rearview mirror, his face blank, "Archer, I just... cant deal with seeing you like this anymore. This isnt just for you. This is for your pére and me, too. As your parents, we cant stand seeing you so distraught over one class that you cant handle staying for the rest of the day. Just... go to whatever class youre supposed to be in right now. Well talk to your principal. At the end of the day, well tell you what happened."

Archer nodded slowly, unbuckling himself and trudging after his parents, who took courage from clutching each others hands. Because class was already in session, they snuck through the empty hallways unnoticed, and when they arrived in front of the principals office, his parents kissed him on his cheek and forehead, and told him to have a good day. Archer left after they vanished behind the door, shuffling past rows of lockers and around sharp corners. Checking the time that was ticking away at a clock hanging from the wall, Archer sighed as he realized that his math class had just begun, and would undoubtedly drag on unreasonably long today. If he could avoid being caught, he might be able to pop his head in for the last half hour, retain a bit of the lesson, and then pick up the homework that he had missed.

Unsure of where he could go for the next few quarters of the hour, Archer padded down the hallway, hoping to not run into a teacher who would bark at him to get to class. He went down another hallway, and then hesitated in front of the library, where his presence would go unnoticed by busy librarians who had more to worry about than figuring out which kids were skipping out of class. He pulled the door open and shuffled inside, finding the entire front of the room completely empty. A tall aisle of books blocked off the back of the room, which he hoped was just as vacated. He weaved past the shelves and suddenly paused close to the end of one, his breath hitching. There was only one other person in the room, his back turned toward Archer as he scratched away at a piece of paper.

Archer deliberated over leaving and just going to class, a choice his parents would have wanted him to go through with, and the choice that would probably be easier on his heart, but, for some reason, he slunk forward. He doubted he would ever stop trying to get close to Hunter. Putting his things down at another table, Archer pulled his chair out, watching Hunter raise his head as he was alerted over another person entering the room. Disinterested, Hunter turned back to the paper, while Archer sat down. Archer hated that he was, in some way, fooling his ex-fiancé, but he couldnt keep himself from wanting to watch Hunter from a safe distance. He unlatched his bag and pulled out one of his books, flipping it open and seeing a picture of an atom, with every section of it labeled. He moved his eyes back up, studying the way that Hunter scrubbed at his hair as he tapped his pencil against the piece of paper.

Abruptly, Hunter crumpled the paper up and shoved it into his pocket, and then he rose to his feet. Lowering into his chair, Archer held his breath as Hunter slung his bag over his shoulder. His body shook when Hunter walked beside of him, his arm almost brushing his shoulder. Staring up at Hunters wide back as he left, Archer widened his eyes when Hunter suddenly stopped, turning his head to the side. He sniffed, making Archer grab at his hair, which smelled so strongly of the shampoo that hed always showered with when he was with Hunter. He had to remind himself to pick up another kind. He bit his bottom lip, heart drumming, as Hunter turned completely around. "Archer?"

Archer pressed himself deeper into the chair, his eyes swaying from side to side as Hunter stepped closer to him. His breath stuttered when Hunter paused by his chair, his thigh a mere centimeter from Archers. Unable to make any sounds, Archer leaned away from him, his huge eyes seeing Hunter furrow his brows. His shoulders lowered as if the weight of the world had collapsed onto them. Shaking his head, Hunter twisted back around, either giving up on trying to get Archer to communicate with him, or convinced that hed made up the smell in his head. Without thinking through what he was doing, Archer reached out for Hunters hand when he started to leave. The shock that went through his fingertips made him pull his hand back. He rubbed at his prickling fingertips. Hunters head snapped down as soon as he felt someone grab at his hand, but he didnt make a sound, and neither did Archer.

His throat moved with a thick swallow, as he held his hand out for Archers. Archer stared at his brown skin, counting the number of veins. Curling and uncurling his fingers, he slowly extended his hand and slid his palm against Hunters. Hunter made a gruff noise, his knees going weak. He lowered to the floor beside of Archer, one hand covering Archers knee. "I didnt think you would come back." He touched Archers chin, painting fire with his rough knuckles. "Ill have to deal with it one day, but... I didnt get the chance to say goodbye to you-"

Archer shook his head, grabbing Hunters hand to hold it against his skin, "Im not going back to France... at least, not soon. Im not going to college. I talked to my parents. I dont know what my future is going to be like right now." Hunter didnt say anything about that, his eyes emotionlessly flickering, so Archer quickly changed the subject. The matter of Archers future, and his happiness, had been the thing to ruin them. He awkwardly gestured at one of the chairs, "Would you like to sit with me? I couldnt stand the thought of sitting through my math class."

Chuckling, Hunter searched for one of the chairs, and he sat down with a thud. Archer blinked at his ex-fiancé, who smiled more easily than he had when they first met. "You look well, Hunter."

The smile withered from his face as he scrubbed his finger over Archers cheek, "I cant complain about a lot right now." His eyes rose to Archers face, and even though he couldnt see, Archer felt like he was staring right through him. He lowered his hand from Archers face, dropping it over one of Archers. He glanced down at the shape of the engagement ring that he felt under his fingers. Suddenly reminded of something, Hunter reached into his pocket and drew out the paper, "Um... you havent been here, so I started on the paper for both of us. If you dont like it, we can redo it. I... thought about calling, but I didnt know if you would..." he cleared his throat, "think that was inappropriate."

Without making a response to that, Archer dragged the paper closer to himself, folding it up from the corners. He slipped it into his bag. He knew that he could have read it in front of Hunter, but the thought of having something that would require another conversation later on made him want to hold onto it for a while. Realizing that Archer had stuck the paper into his bag, Hunter moved on to another topic, "How was your New Year?"

Archer glimpsed up at him. His face reddened as he remembered how recent the New Year had come after their breakup. "Um... it was okay. It was quiet. I stayed in. My parents went out to a party that my grandma hosts each year. You should have been there. They were a gorgeous couple that night. Anyone else at that party would have fawned over them." Realizing he should have bitten his tongue several sentences ago, Archer recoiled from Hunter, meekly asking him, "How was yours?"

"It was okay." Hunter said simply, leaving out all of the details that Archer probably should have, as well. "Uh... I started helping out with the school musical. Im painting some of the sets. People are auditioning right now. Theyve casted Maria... but your pére was right when he said that there could never be a more beautiful Maria than you."

Blushing, Archer flitted his eyes off to the side. He hummed softly as Hunter scratched at a throbbing pulse in his neck. "Mm..." he unconsciously purred, his cheeks growing even hotter. Weakly fighting off Hunters advances because he knew that the bell would be ringing in ten minutes, Archer groaned throatily as Hunters hand swallowed the nape of his neck. He tilted his head so his hair slid across his face, but Archer couldnt bring himself to care as Hunters mouth formed over his. The brush of his lips was so fleeting that Archer hardly noticed it. His heart sped up as he balled up fistfuls of Hunters shirt. Hunter bent over him so he hovered over Archers tiny form, his hand gripping the back of Archers chair, and his other slipping down to the small of his back. "I missed you." Archer whispered breathlessly, each word punctuated by a firm kiss. His head fell back as Hunter mouthed at his jaw, a low whimper sliding through his puckered lips. "Oh, Hunter..."

Hunter grabbed a handful of his ass, drawing Archer out of his chair and into Hunters. He positioned him so that he straddled his hips. Winding his arms around Hunters neck, Archer kissed him as if they had never stopped, each rub of their mouths open and wet. "I cant be doing this." Hunter grumbled, as he licked a trail down the pale slope of Archers neck. "This isnt fair to either of us."

"Dont stop." Archer whined, chewing Hunters earlobe as he spent a good deal of attention at the side of Archers neck, which he nosed his masses of curls away from. "Its okay."

Hunter thrust his hips up at the crotch of Archers jeans, getting no friction out of it because they were both concealed in thick layers of clothing. "You dont understand. I cant spend all of my attention on you if I have to take care of my dad-"

Palming the hard ridge tucked in Hunters pants, Archer cut off his low growl. "Im okay with this amount of attention-"

"Im being serious."

"So am I."

Archer knew that he was setting himself up for failure, but hadnt expected to feel so rejected when Hunter jerked back, his face screwed up in a glare. Even though he appeared angry, Hunter squeezed his ass cheeks, "Get off of my lap right now or else Im going to fling you across this table and fuck you until youre screaming. I know how hard it is for you to be quiet."

Remaining where he was, Archer nibbled idly at the slant of Hunters jaw, feeling his body rumble as it was torn between several different actions. Finally, Hunter scooped him up and shoved him off to the side, making him stumble as he also stood up. He looked like he was about to say something, but then he shook his head and marched away from Archer when the bell shrieked noisily.

Archer narrowed his eyes at the spot where he had once stood, rubbing his damp lips. "Damn you." He kicked the leg of the table, and then picked up his bag and rushed out of the room.

Archer pushed through the wide auditorium doors after the final bell had gone off on his history class, which he shamefully admitted he couldnt remember much of. His thoughts had been preoccupied with what it would be like to go to the auditions that took place after school, and, even if he could see Hunter, as long as he wasnt too busy, he would even want to stop and talk to him. His wide eyes zeroed in on the darkened stage, where a short boy, possibly a freshman, stood, spotlights beaming down on his sweating face. The lights illuminated the beads of liquid that ran down his cheeks, betraying his nerves to the audience of the single man who had helped Hunter to stay in the school. He belted out a shaky rendition of Jet Song, falling flat on many of the notes.

Tearing his eyes away from him, Archer saw flashes of movement backstage, obviously other people auditioning, and members of the crew who were working the lights and moving the curtains. Archer wondered if Hunter was back there with them, when a dark form near the back of the auditorium caught his attention. Hunter slouched in one of the back rows, foot propped up, and a notebook resting in his lap. Pieces of cardboard sat in the seat next to him. To his relief, he was by himself, and he didnt appear to be too distracted for conversation. As Archer drew closer to him, he snatched up mental images of Hunters masculine bulkiness, his shirt stretched over his relaxed arms, and his jeans straining over muscular thighs.

Archer wobbled between the rows of chairs, and he stood beside of Hunters limber body. Even though he couldnt see him, he smiled widely when Hunter glimpsed up, eyes slanted knowingly. "Hi. May I sit with you, stranger?"

Hunter laughed, moving aside the cardboard cutouts and setting them on the floor. He pushed down the folded chair for Archer. "Ill always make room for you." As Archer plopped beside of him, he kept his eyes straightforward, nervously aware of Hunters leisurely movements beside of him. "Shouldnt you be going home?"

Archer shook his head, tucking his hair behind his ear, "I called my parents and told them I had to stay after to get some homework out of the way. Its not a lie. I have a lot to make up for from the week that I missed."

Hunter disregarded that the missed time had been because of him, as he kept tapping his pencil against the paper, "And are you going to do any of it?"

He giggled, "No. Us Hummel-Andersons are bad for starting up conversations that we cant finish... except for my daddy."

Hunters brows quirked, "I remember a time when you wouldnt give me the time of day." Raising his head from the piece of paper, he glimpsed over at Archer, "Well, Mr. Procrastinator, have you at least read what I wrote for our paper?"

He shook his head again, "No... but youre the writer! Shouldnt I trust that what you wrote is good enough for a passing grade?"

Hunter rolled his eyes, scribbling a few more words onto the piece of paper, "Using me for my ability to put coherent words onto paper."

Leaning closer to Hunter, Archer touched the edge of the paper he was writing on, "What are you doing?"

He shrugged a shoulder, "Ive started writing a story. I dont know if anything will come of it, but at least Ill have it for my own pleasure during my idle hours. Its a modern retelling of Cinderella. Its my favorite fairytale. A tragedy of a girl whos forced into the wrong family... and then ends up with a prince falling head over heels for her because of the kindness and endurance inside of her."

"Can I read it?"

Hunter shifted uncomfortably, "Its not finished yet. Besides, I only have two pages done. Its not even at the good part yet-"

"You are such a writer." Archer scoffed, snatching for the journal that Hunter shot up into the air. Lifting from his seat, he grabbed the edge of it, but Hunter kept it from him easily. "Hunter! I want to be the first one that reads it. I wont even tell you if its bad."

"A critique that every writer wants to hear." Hunter huffed sardonically, suddenly yanking it from Archers hands and making him tumble onto Hunters chest with a low squeak. Archer dissolved into a pile of snickers and tangled limbs, but he quieted when Hunter shoved a hand over his mouth. Archers eyes became huge when he discovered that the boy who had been singing on stage had abruptly shut his mouth. Hunter waved a hand in a silent apology for their disturbance, before he swatted it across Archers bottom, whispering close to his ear, "Youre going to get me in trouble, you little nuisance. Hush up."

Archer bit back another few titters when he felt Hunter smile into his hair, struggling to sit up and finding himself drawn back into Hunters side when he slid an arm around his waist. Lowering his lids over warm eyes, Archer snuggled his head into his boney shoulder. Hunter lowered his chin over Archers wild curls, kissing the crown of his head, as he passed over his notebook. Tucking himself under Hunters head, Archer felt him swallow several times as he read over the first page, squinting to interpret words that were messier than others, and counting how many times he had slashed phrases out. Hunters hand stroked up and down Archers arm, and every so often, he felt another kiss on his scalp. He flipped to the second page, hearing Hunter mutter, "You know that nothing can come of this."

Archer made an acknowledging noise, his body sinking deeper into Hunter when his grip tightened, "I dont know what we are anymore... but I dont want it to stop." Tilting his head back, Archer stared up at the scratchy place under Hunters jaw, "Hunt? You still love me, dont you?"

Hunter nodded without a second of hesitation, "I always will."

Archer played mindlessly with the fingers that were resting against the inner crook of his elbow, "Good... I still love you, too." Giving the notebook back to Hunter, who shut it and placed it aside, Archer cuddled deeper into his chest, breathing out heavily as Hunter boosted him out of his chair and into his lap. With his cheek pressed to Hunters pounding heart, he whispered, "What if I stayed in Lima, Hunter?"

"What if you did?"

At the suddenly short tone to Hunters voice, his eyes swelled with a thin layer of tears, "What if I stayed here? You could be close to your dad, a-and I-" his hiccup drew Hunters concerned gaze down to Archer, who he gently smoothed his fingers over, "I could still have you. I-I wouldnt be miserable if I stayed here, I promise. Ive never minded having a simple life. Its what I prefer. I would still have my g-grandparents close by. This is where I grew up... w-with the other Hunter. I do like it here. Please... I just want to be with you. I could certainly be comfortable with a-another man, if he gave me a nice house to live in. Anyone would be. But I wouldnt be happy... not without you."

"You would learn to be happy-"

"Could you really stand the thought of another man kissing me-?"

"This isnt about me-"

"Youre right." Archer sniffled, raising to his knees and placing his hands on both of Hunters cheeks, "This is about us. Hunter, Im miserable without you. Before I knew you, my life was guaranteed. I was going live a tolerable life. After I met you, every thought became about you. I was always wondering when you were going to torment me next. I became jealous of anyone else being teased the way that you teased me. It always annoyed me, but it made me feel so special... because it was something you only did with me. I knew it made you happy to bother me. And then... then I started to fall in love with you. I didnt drift into it... I fell so hard for you. My family has dealt with a lot of loss. My grandma died when she was still so young, and my grandpa has never recovered. He remarried, but I know that he would give anything to have my grandma back. When my pére left for France for a year, my daddy was a wreck. They loved each other so much, and they couldnt go on without one another. I know what love looks like. Theres a lot of it in my family. And I know that, if I lose you, Ill go on as my Uncle Keegan has."

Hunter lowered his gaze to Archers chest, his head shaking back and forth, "Sweetheart... listen to me. I dont think I could function as a married man, even if you stayed in Lima. Being away from my dad for a week proved that it would take very little time for him to get himself killed. I would have to live with him, baby. I would have to be apart from you. Thats not a life I want for you, constantly waiting for a day that your husband can leave his sick dad for a couple of hours. I want you to have a husband who can be at your side whenever you need him to be. Thats what you deserve."

Tears leaked from Archers eyes, "Please, stop thinking about what I deserve. Youre not making sense to me. How could I ever need another man, when the man I need is you? You know that we wont-we cant-stop coming back to each other. No amount of distance could keep me away from you."

"What if I married someone else?"

"I would still know that Im more important to you, if youre willing to put them through what you think is a tragic life, but not me."

Hunter fell back into his seat with a thump, his knuckles pressing into the knots in Archers shoulders, "I dont think you know what youre getting yourself into, kitten."

"Im sixteen years old. Of course I dont." Archer said thickly, pressing his lips to Hunters. "I still have time to figure things out. My pére told me that. Im not asking you to marry me as soon as we get out of high school. My daddy wanted me to wait so I could settle into my life, anyway. Im not that impatient, Hunter. Id be willing to wait for you to get your dad the help that he needs before we marry."

Hunter was about to say something else, but he raised his head to a figure that appeared behind Archer. Peering over his shoulder, Archer quickly wiped at his wet face as he clambered from Hunters lap, trying to appear decent in front of the music teacher. Archer was almost sure that his name was Schuester, and that he was one of the more easygoing teachers at McKinley. He was very plain, with brown, thinning hair and a crinkly, smiling face. Archer opened his mouth to apologize for the interruption that hed been earlier, when the teacher sat down in a chair that was a few away from theirs. "Your name is Archer Hummel-Anderson, isnt it?"

Archer nodded slowly, feeling Hunters tender fingers massaging his tense neck. "Um... yes. Do you know me?"

The teacher bobbed his head, but then reconsidered his words, "Well... no. But I knew your parents. It feels like it was a long time ago. I saw your mom on their graduation day. She was still pregnant with you. How are Kurt and Blaine doing?"

Archers eyes softened. He always loved to brag about his parents. "Theyre doing very well, thank you. Did they have a class with you?"

"Yeah, they did." He chuckled deeply. "I was really fond of them. Kurt was my most cheerful student. He always brightened my day. He brought Blaine along with him to class, and eventually Blaine got into the swing of things. You look just like him... Blaine, I mean. But I can see a lot of both of your parents in you. Please, tell them to come in and see me soon. Ill probably be retiring within the next few years. Id like to see them one more time." Archer agreed, while Schuester turned his attention to Hunter. "And, Im sorry, I didnt get the chance to introduce myself earlier. I simply heard what was going on, and had to step in. You know who I am, but I dont know your name."

"Hunter Karofsky." For some reason, Schuesters face became very solemn as he processed that name, and his eyes flickered between the two of them.

"Hunter Karofsky?" He repeated, as if he couldnt convince himself that he had heard him correctly. "I... I knew your parents, too. Im sorry about your mom. I had her in my class, and I was devastated when I heard what had happened."

Hunter rolled a shoulder, "I was just a baby. I dont remember her."

Archer looked between the teacher and Hunter, "Mr. Schuester, did our parents know each other?"

Schuester took a second to respond, and then he nodded his head. "Yeah, they knew each other." Hearing his name called from below them, he held out his hand for Archer to shake, "It was nice to talk to you, Archer. Remember what I said about your parents. And, Hunter, do you have any of those cardboard cutouts ready?"

Hunter handed over the pieces of scenery to him, nodding at his thanks before he rubbed his head against Archers again. "I should be going home, kitten. Let me walk you out."

Archer reluctantly stood with Hunter, taking his hand and trailing after him on their way out of the auditorium. When the door shut behind them, they raised their voices to a regular volume, and Archer started out by saying, "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Of course. If youd like to eat lunch with me, Ill be in the stairwell. Ill also be at the auditorium again, if youd like to meet me there after school." Hunter grinned when Archer made an emphatic noise, sneaking in a quick kiss before Archer stumbled off in the direction of his locker. "Where are you going? I was going to wait outside with you until your parents came to get you."

"Give me a minute! I have to grab something from my locker." Hunter rolled his eyes as Archer darted down the hallway, nearly slamming into the wall with the speed he was running at. His jittering heart outmatched his feet, beating much faster with the knowledge that things were going back to normal again, if only he could call Hunter his something now. Stopping in front of his locker, Archer fumbled to put in the code and snapped the door open. He stuffed his books into it, and replaced them with others. Once his bag was brimming with a stack of homework, he slammed his locker and hurried back to the hallway Hunter had been standing in, only to screech to a halt at the end of it.

Alarmed by the other person who had swayed over to him, Archer snuck back behind the corner and peeped out at the two of them. Hunter was standing with slumped shoulders, his hands in his pockets, as he spoke to Archers cousin, Beth. Archer grimaced at the sight of her, watching her narrow face beam at Hunter as she said something to him. Beth had always been his least favorite family member, thinking her too arrogant, with the way she swung her hips as if she was some gift to every man she encountered. Her arms glittered in heavy bracelets, while tight shorts squeezed her thin legs. Her blond hair, streaked in gaudy pinks and blues, tumbled flirtatiously around her pointed face. Her brown eyes sparkled when Hunter replied shortly to her, and Archers eyes locked onto her hand when it reached out for his.

Feeling a jab of insecurity as she toyed with his fingers, Archer fell back a few steps. He was aware that Hunter and Beth had dated for a very long time, and for a brief moment, he worried that Hunter thought her more beautiful than him, with her tamed, blond hair; and more worldly and adventurous, because she had dated around much more than Archer had. Maybe she suited him better than he did. Frowning, Archer watched pathetically as she jingled her glittery wrists, suddenly feeling bare of any jewels that might attract a mans attention, and make him wonder where he had acquired such large ornaments. It was all a game of keep-away to most men, he had learned from simple observance of television shows and overhearing people on the street, and if they thought that one man had given a woman a ruby, he would go off and buy her a sapphire.

Archer squeezed his fingers into his palms, reminding himself of the presence of his engagement ring. He felt his body jolt when Hunter suddenly stepped back, shaking his head, as Beth sauntered closer to him. Hunters voice became loud enough that Archer finally made out a few of the words. "No, Beth... Im done. Stop coming after me. Youre making yourself look like something to pity." His cousin grabbed at Hunters chest, a movement that made Archer pucker his brows, inwardly simmering with jealousy. He knew that he himself had no claims over Hunter, but he couldnt help but feel that he meant more to Hunter than Beth ever would.

Luckily, he had never had to deal with many unwanted displays from other men or women, who, although would claim that Hunter was one to look at, said they would never touch. Hunters aggressive and introverted personality had driven many people away, and made him nothing more than a trophy on the wall, meant to be admired from a distance. Archer returned his attention to the present when his cousin laughed lightly, her hands raising to Hunters face. She lifted onto her toes, pressing her mouth to his a second before he could jerk back. Widening his eyes, Archer tried to keep down the boiling in his stomach, but he shocked even himself when he launched himself forward, a frenzied blur of wild hair and reddened cheeks. "No! Hes mine!" He screeched, throwing himself at Beth with his hands out. She staggered backwards at his abrupt presence, screaming as he lunged with slapping hands. "Hes mine!"

To his dismay, he didnt get in any scratches because he felt his body move away from her. Snarling through curled lips, Archer kept throwing punches even as she became farther and farther away, and when he became aware of the distance, he lowered his hands to Hunters back, which he found himself dangling over. "Stop kicking, Archer!" Hunter barked, patting his bottom twice to make his body go limp. Looking between Hunter and a bemused Beth, who remained where she was for several seconds, Archer realized that Hunter had picked him up and slung him over his shoulder to get him out of the brewing fight. "Thats enough! Youre about to kick me in my testicles if you dont stop!"

Archer dug his nails into Hunters shoulder, sneering at Beth before they went around a corner. "But youre mine, and she kissed you!"

"Ouch!" Hunter plucked Archers sharpened claws out of his skin before he drew blood, "Well, dont punish me for it. I didnt kiss her back."

Archer rolled his eyes, resting his elbow on Hunters back and cupping his chin in the palm of his hand. "You didnt even let me get in one swing. Can I get down now? I still dont like climbing things."

Hunter pushed him up higher to knock the air out of him, "You are not that high up. Stop complaining. You brought this onto yourself, little kitten. Ill put you down when were far enough away from Beth that I know you wont run back and try to punch her." He opened a door that led to another section of the building, and after he closed it behind them, he let Archer slide down his back. Archer started to step back, but before he could twitch a finger, a strong hand gripped both of his wrists and raised them above his head. Unused to being so vulnerable, Archer fidgeted weakly, feeling Hunter back him into a wall. Hunter bent his head so the tip of his nose brushed Archers, "Fine, Ill be yours."

Archer whimpered, his head rolling back, as Hunter gripped his butt cheeks and boosted him off of the floor effortlessly. Hooking his legs around Hunters waist, Archer kissed with as much fervor as he could summon. He broke off the kiss when his lungs emptied of all air, and he took a few shaky breaths as Hunter combed his frizzy hair. "Are you sure this time? This is it?"

"If youre willing to put up with me." Hunter grinded his hips into Archers, chuckling as Archers hips popped eagerly. "I need to face it, Archer, and accept that were as necessary to each other as air. You were right. Well keep coming back to each other. In a few years, Ill have my life sorted out, and Im going to marry you, Archer..." he suddenly hesitated, lowering Archer back to the ground. "Ill marry you... if youll still have me. So, will you marry me, Archer?"

Archer smiled, cupping his face in his hands as he kissed him firmly, "As thrilling as it is to hear you say that, I never want to hear those words out of you again, Hunter. Of course Ill marry you." He nuzzled his head into Hunters chest, feeling his long arms wrap protectively around him. "Its all been forgiven. And if its alright with you, Id like to just forget that these past two weeks ever happened."

"Thats fine with me." Hunter said quickly, ducking for another kiss. "I ought to plan to make dinner for your family one night, and try to explain what happened to them. I just hope your dad doesnt expect me to be on the table."

Shaking his head, Archer kissed Hunter one last time before they started walking toward the doors, hand in hand, "I wouldnt ever let anyone come between us again, Hunter. I think two weeks was long enough for me to be apart from you." He paused, reaching up for Hunters face, "Do you think you could come over tonight? Just for an hour or two? You could take the leftovers home for your dad." He shifted his body against Hunters, making him feel his full length, "After dinner, you and I could do some catching up in my room."

Hunter groaned throatily, pinching Archers round bottom, "I cant have sex with you under your dads head anymore. If I had vision, I wouldnt be able to look that man in the eye."

Giggling, Archer spun around and wiggled his butt against Hunters thigh, "Im a very persuasive person."

"Some people call that bossiness."

Archer frowned at his fiancé, "Maybe I shouldnt have accepted your proposal."

He gasped when Hunter abruptly swung him off of his feet, pinning him against the wall in a matter of seconds, "And maybe I should have been more persuasive." Archer opened his mouth to retaliate, but he forgot what he was going to say when Hunter pushed his tongue between his lips. Making a soft sound from the back of his throat, Archer draped his arms over Hunters shoulders, as Hunter persuaded him with all of the right reasons.